Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Colorado Rockies avoid 100 losses with extra inning win in Arizona

Chris Nelson had the game winning hit for the Rockies.

It came down to the last series of the season, but the Colorado Rockies have avoided their first 100-loss season in franchise history.

On Monday night, after the Rockies had battled back against Rookie of the Year candidate Wade Miley, Rafael Betancourt came in to finish off the Diamondbacks and send the Rockies back to their hotel certain that they wouldn't cross the 100-loss threshold. However, Betancourt gave up a home run to Paul Goldschmidt, picking up a blown save and sending the game to extra innings.

When Goldschmidt launched the home run, it seemed like fate was whispering in the Rockies ears that it was meant to be. This team was supposed to lose 100 games.

However, the Rockies decided that wouldn't be the case. In the 13th inning Tyler Colvin hit a deep fly ball to the left-center gap, which bounced once and landed in the crowd. Chris Nelson, who has been phenomenal since returning from the disabled list, singled up the middle to score Colvin. The flood gates opened and the Rockies ended up putting up four runs, ensuring that they would win for the 63rd time in 2012, bailing them out of the black eye that is losing 100 games.

Many fans were cheering for the Rockies to lose 100 games. Those fans strongly believe that the stigma of losing 100 games would be the silver bullet to get Dick Monfort to pull the trigger on a clean sweep of the organization. The reality is, if the embarrassment that has come from the 2012 season, whether the Rockies lose 97, 98, or 99 games isn't enough for ownership to see that a major overhaul is necessary, then 100 losses wouldn't do the trick. In fact, 110 losses might not have done the trick either.

The reality is, fans hoping for change might be in for a huge disappointment. Based on the way the Rockies have hesitated to talk about Jim Tracy's future, it seems almost certain that he will manage only two more games in a Rockies uniform. However, he very well may end up being the scapegoat for a terrible season.

Tracy deserves his fair share of blame, but for a team to perform this poorly is a result of the culture that has been created not just in the clubhouse, but one that has run throughout the whole organization. If this franchise wants a quick turnaround, they simply must figure out how to quit making excuses and how to separate a friendship from a job that must be done.

The sad thing for Rockies fans is that a mini celebration broke out when the team nailed down their 63rd victory. Ironically, the game was played exactly five years to the day of the Rockies magical play-in game against the San Diego Padres, and three years to the day that they clinched a playoff spot in 2009.

In just a few short years, this franchise has turned into a train wreck. After the Rockies put a disappointing 2008 season behind them and proved that they were for real, they seemed to be primed to make a long run at the playoffs. Maybe they wouldn't win the National League West consistently, but they would be a factor in the race. At the time, that seemed obvious, the Rockies were a good, young team.

Suddenly, the franchise finds itself not only among the worst teams in baseball, but beyond that, some of their theories have made them the laughingstock of the game.

Bottom line, it is time for change. This ownership group needs to tip it's cap to the fans and go back to the drawing board. Firing a few coaches, or even firing Tracy, simply isn't good enough. This team needs serious change. It needs people who won't make excuses, but will find ways to win. The current group isn't cutting it, and the bad part is, they have the talent to win.

Dave, I have hesitated writing on the BB after the gift that remains the Chicago Cubs. I actually wore a Cubs shirt for the series as the Rookies kept winning. I grew up there, so people keep sending me shirts. They seem to bring the Rocks luck. After the typical Dodgers disaster, I had prepared myself for the 100 loss season, especially after the 9th inning homer last night. But here we are now. 100 loses avoided. Break out the champagne and party favors, the Rookies have avoided the century loss mark. Just the Angels and the Rockies still without a 100 loss year. Certainly VERY small consolation for the season. Hey there's always next year. The "Year of the Fan" has such an ironic tone. Fans still came out win, lose, or rainout. Back to the Cubs theme, they do the same thing at Wrigley, so why improve the product. I am normally pretty depressed with the shorter days and end of the season. This year, it's almost a merciful ending. Signs of hope again with Pacheco, Rutledge, Rosario (if he can learn to catch the ball). Just wondering if Pacheco should get any Rookie of the year consideration. Aside from all that, the best present we could get for Xmas would be a reboot of management, or is that just a booting? As others have stated, yourself included, don't hold your breath. As Charlie Brown noted many decades ago, "Great potential is a heavy burden." Have a nice off-season and enjoy the playoffs.

Craig,Thanks for your comment, and thanks for reading. The biggest questions of the offseason will be whether or not the front office gets a complete remodel, or just a new facade. I'm sure there will be some firings, but I will be thoroughly disappointed if it stops with coaches.

About Me

Born and raised in Colorado, I have followed the Rockies since their inception. I am a freelance writer who covers the Colorado Rockies for the Colorado Springs Gazette, doing their Rox/Sox blog. I have also covered the team for INDenverTimes.com, a spin off of the former Rocky Mountain News. Some of the best days of my life have involved the Rockies.